Finland's Inflation Surges to 2.1%

Finland's annual inflation rate jumped to 2.1% in November, the highest figure in almost five years, the government statistics agency said Thursday.

The rate was up from 1.8% in October and 0.9% in November 2005, Statistics Finland said.

The increase was mainly attributed to a slowing down in the fall of fuel prices, higher food and electricity prices and greater dwelling costs. Inflation was curbed most by price cuts in entertainment electronics and home computers.

Finland, whose inflation has regularly been below the average of the European Union members that using the euro, last had an annual rate of more than 2% in January 2002, when it was 2.3%.